It was a night of celebrations as exporting excellence in the region was celebrated at the Exporter of the Year Gala Banquet.
Exporters Eastern Cape’s 2024 Exporter of the Year Award winners were announced at the prestigious banquet, hosted at the Tramways Building on Friday, 11 October 2024.
“Tonight is a flagship event for Exporters Eastern Cape, one that we look forward to every year not only because it is a highlight on our social calendars, but also because it is a celebration of the culmination of another year of hard work and success by our members in the export industry in the Eastern Cape.”
“Recognising our members’ achievements is a privilege and testament to the partnerships we continue to forge locally and internationally. I have no doubt, after being chairman of Exporters Eastern Cape for 15 years, that we are a unique region with exceptional export businesses, and export support businesses, that are truly of the highest calibre,” said Exporters Eastern Cape Chairman Quintin Levey.
A highlight of the evening was the announcement of the Overall Winner of the 2024 Exporter of the Year Awards, which went to the first-time overall winner, ISUZU Motors South Africa.
ISUZU Vice President for Planning, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Celestin Ndhlovu, said winning the award was very encouraging, especially looking at how tough the year had been and the hard work the team had put in, into a very competitive market.
“Our strategy has always been to grow the business through exports, and getting this kind of recognition means you’re doing something right. So going back into the business, I think it’s something that encourages everyone, because, you know, when you get incentivized in such a manner, then it shows that the kind of effort you are putting in, is yielding positive results,” said Ndhlovu.
In the year under review, the company had massively grown exports from the Eastern Cape into the rest of the African market, to 26 countries across the continent. In terms of volumes, they were the second highest South African exporter of vehicles (SUV, LCV, CV) into Africa, and the top Eastern Cape-based exporter of vehicles (SUV, LCV, CV) into Africa.
“We have seen our exports grow into Africa. If we look at our production, about 25 to 30% of our volume is exported into Africa, and we continue taking part in some of the discussions with policymakers to make sure that we are creating an enabling environment. So, discussions are something that we also encourage, especially looking at other players, because at the end of the day, if we can improve the kind of trade that happens in Africa, it’s going to be a huge opportunity for all,” said Ndhlovu.
While ISUZU had been a category winner before, it is the first time since the company was established in 2018, that they walked away with the coveted title of Overall Winner of the Exporter of the Year.
In addition to being announced the overall winner, ISUZU also achieved the following Exporters Eastern Cape 2024 accolades: Best Exporter: OEM – Winner. SJM Flex Environmental Award – Merit Award and the IDC Job Creator Award – Merit Award.
Standard Bank was the Platinum Sponsor for the awards evening, along with Gold Sponsors Volkswagen Group Africa and OM & Barker; Silver Sponsor Kingfisher FM; Bronze Sponsors ISUZU, IDC and SJM Flex. The official Media partner of the event was The Herald. The venue sponsor was the Eastern Cape Deveopment Corporation.
Thank you to DG Incentives for sponsoring the gifts for all the guests; BLG Logistics South Africa for sponsoring the main entertainment for the evening; BMW Nelson Mandela Bay for providing luxury vehicles transporting guests from the parking areas to the Tramways Building and Colin Carmody from The Alternative Board for sponsoring Business Coaching Sessions for all the Category Winners.
Thank you to LX Events, Magnetic Storm and OM & Barker for being our event partners for the 2024 Exporter of the Year Banquet!
Congratulations to all the 2024 Exporter of the Year
Category and Merit Award Winners:
2024 Exporter of the Year Overall Winner – ISUZU Motors South Africa
BEST EXPORTER: OEM
Best Exporter OEM Winner – ISUZU Motors South Africa
Best Exporter OEM Merit Award for Strategic Innovation (Growth into Africa) – Volkswagen Group Africa
BEST EXPORTER: CORPORATE
Best Exporter Corporate Winner – Lumotech
Best Exporter Corporate Merit Award for increase in Profitability and Turnover – SJM Flex SA
Best Exporter Corporate Merit Award for Increase in Profitability – Shatterprufe
BEST EXPORTER: MEDIUM ENTERPRISE
Best Exporter Medium Enterprise Winner – S4 Integration
Best Exporter Medium Enterprise – Merit Award for Increase in Profitability and Turnover – Wirquin Manufacturing
BEST EXPORTER: SMALL BUSINESS
No winners.
BEST PROVIDER OF SERVICE TO EXPORTERS
Best Provider of Service to Exporters Winner – C. Steinweg Logistics
Best Provider of Service to Exporters Merit Award for New Contracts – Coega Development Corporation
Best Provider of Service to Exporters Merit Award for Growth & Increase in Profitability – OM & Barker
Best Provider of Service to Exporters Merit Award for Innovation – Thermascan 2020
IDC JOB CREATOR
IDC Job Creator Award Winner – Lumotech
IDC Job Creator Merit Award – ISUZU Motors South Africa
SJM FLEX ENVIRONMENTAL
SJM Flex Environmental Award Winner – Volkswagen Group Africa
SJM Flex Environmental Merit Award – ISUZU Motors South Africa
SJM Flex Environmental Merit Award – Schaeffler South Africa
SJM FLEX ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICE
SJM Flex Environmental Practice Award Winner – Tavcor Motor Group
SJM Flex Environmental Practice Merit Award – S4 Integration
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